Hi Sarah
I think it's normal to be a little bit annoyed by people who are capable of enjoying a few drinks responsibly. I mean...isn't that what most of us wish we could do? Alcohol doesn't bother me.
The fact that I can't handle it does. I was irritated in a lot of social situations early in my recovery. As it turned out - my problem wasn't with "norms" (non-alcoholics). I needed to work a little bit more on accepting the fact that
I'm different.
"You mean I'll never EVER be able to handle alcohol?" ---> Yeah Jen, but try to just take it a day at a time.
"I can't even toast at weddings?" --> Just grab the sparkling grape juice and be grateful you're in recovery.
Don't get me wrong - I'm still uncomfortable around people who are totally
out-of-their-mind intoxicated, but sitting across from a friend who has a few glasses of wine at dinner is no longer an issue for me.
That (above) might not be the reason red flags are popping up in your head, though.
What if your friend really does have a drinking problem? The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence separates alcohol abuse (possibly the category your friend is in if she has a few drinks at dinner and drives home slightly impaired/over the legal limit) and alcoholism symptoms in ways that may help you decide.
Check it out here.Click to expand...